The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-08-04
A LAUGHING FAMILY.
A PASSING STRANGE STORY FRoN,
NEW JERSEY.

NEW JERSEY.
| "A Family with Peculiar NIaIady-- Lnuph-
ing in Church and at Odd Times and
Piaces--Curious Stories Told by People
Passing by.
New YORK, July 28.-The story of
Jersoy's laughing family is certainly ono
of the oldest that ever reached the oars
of correspondent That family with
such peculiar malady, and one so
seemingly interesting to the medical
profession, should have lived so long in
State pretty well populated without
getting into the newspapers, except in q
brief and remote way years ago, is de-
cidedly strange. The family reside in q
large, substantial house, not far from
the Delaware river in Hunterdon coun-
ty. The father and sons are farmers
and prosperous and woll to do. The en-
tire family are chronic laughers, having
an affection Of the muscles Of the mouth
and throat that compels them to give
vent to apparent merriment at stated in
tervals. The malady first appeared in
the father about dozen years ago. He
was usually very quiet man, enjoying
fun, but manifesting his enjoyment with
out much noise. He was seated at the
dinner table ono day in the spring of
the year, cating steadily and not engae-
ing III any OF the conversation which the
other members of the family wero carry
ing. on. Suddenly, without any cause,
he burst into loud fit of laughter so
extremely different from his accustomed
laugh that all were attracted by it ut
once. When asked what was the reason
OF his sudden outburst he mado no re-
ply, but continued his merriment. Some
of the boys thought he had Mysteries,
and pounded him on the back, but it
did no good. After few moments he
mado motions for pencil and papor, and
wrote that he was unable to control his
rlslDles, and asked them to send for O
doctor.
The rural physician came, but could
give no remedy that stopped the laugh
ter. Peal after peal of what sounded
like the hcartiest kind of fun camo from
aim, and nothing would avail to prevent
it. The doctor finally came to the con
cluslon that he was the victim of q
nervous attack, and, leaving nervine
departed.
SINGULAR TROUBLE.
The father continued laughing until
about sundown, when he uldcnly
stopped and fell on the floor completely
prostrated. He soon grew better, how
ever. ate Eoarty supper, and spent the
evening much as usual. No signs of the
return of the trouble appearing, he went
~ mr. woo foot Il Al
about o'clock, however, his was awak-
encd by his laughter and the same
symptoms as of the day before mani
tested themselves. He kept it up until
o'clock, laughing loud and strong. At
o'clock the noise suddenly ceased and
did not return again until dinner time.
Thus it continued, recurring each day
| shortly after noon and in the night about
O'Clock, and has every since. AS tho
weeks passed he grew so accustomed to
the disease tha5 ho was caused very little
Inconvenience by it. He did not get
tired out, rs at first, and soon was able
to go about his work-sowing seed and
planting corn, digging vegetables and
watering the cattle-while laughing i'm
moderately. lie could not talk while
under one Of the spells, but carried q
slate and pencil around with him, after
the fashion of deaf and dumb person.
The trouble was very regular in its
coming and going, and only occasionally
broke forth at unlooked-for seasons.
Once the old man was taken in church,
just when the minister was eXhortine his
hearers IN the most solemn strains, and
spoiled tho effect of the discourse, be-
sides disturbing the equilibrium of the
Clergyman. Another time he was found
ny one OF bis neighbors along the road,
lying beneath bag of flour, laughing at
q terrific late. He has been taken while
driving homo from the mill, and the
suddenness OF the sounds frightened the
horse, causing it to run away and dump
the man and part of his load out in the
road.
For eighteen months the father was
the only ono Of the household afflicted
with the malady. Several of them had
complained from time to timo of an in
clination to join the father in the laugh,
| but none Of them did so until nearly two
years after he was taken, whom Susie,
the youngest child, suddenly burst into
q similar fit during one of her fathers
attacks.
From that time on she has laughed at
about the same hours that her father
does. One by one the remaining men,
bers fell victims to the strange com
plant, until two years ago there was but
one left FREQ and that was Charles, the
eldest son. His long exemption led him
to believe ho would escape the malady.
But he was mistaken, and it is said he
had his first attack while proposing for
tho hand of n girl at Wilkesbarre, Pa.
SO frightened was the maiden by
Charles's queer behavior that she run
from tho room, and it was o week before
the proper explanation could induce her
to see him again. She is now one Of
tho family and escaping the malady
nevor minds tho hidcous chorus OF
laughter which twice day resounds
through the house, It is regarded as
odd that mono of tho ncighbors should
have caught tho infection, although
many of them minglc constantly with
the family.
NO REMEDY KNOWN.
Everything possible has been dQuo to
remove or alleviate tAo malady, but
without GnJ poIceptiblo effect. Several